Platform 9 ¾…

Sirius's eyes followed James Potter as he bid goodbye to all of them and walked towards his parents. Mr. And Mrs. Potter, Sirius noted, looked anything but pureblood. It was a well known fact that the Potters were filthy rich, yet their appearance and conduct reflected none of it. Their robes were too casual, they smiled too much, talked too much, moved too much, touched too much, and Mrs. Potter, who James had obviously inherited his hair from, hadn't even tried to look presentable.

Sirius frowned. Sometimes he didn't understand how things so different from what he'd been taught worked just as well.

There was a sudden tap on his shoulder, and Sirius turned to face his second best friend: Remus Lupin. Yes, they were on first name basis now and as much as Sirius loathed to admit it, the boy was bloody good company. He wasn't like Peter, whom Sirius had particularly scorned at first but gotten used to, just like how one eventually grows to love the hairy mole on one's rear because it was an unavoidable part of them. (Not that he had a hairy mole on his rear, of course.) In fact, once they'd gotten to actually talking to Remus, both James and Sirius had found themselves warming up to him instantly, especially James who seemed to have a tendency of getting attached to people very easily.

'I'll see you next year then,' said Sirius finally, extending a hand towards Remus.

Remus laughed, his eyes shining with amusement. 'You can never drop the façade, can you, Sirius?' Nevertheless, he shook his hand. 'My dad's standing near the end over there,' he said, pointing towards his right. 'But he hasn't noticed me yet, so try not to draw too much attention, okay?'

Sirius quickly stuffed the fireworks James had given him before leaving, into his pockets. 'Moi?' he asked disbelievingly. 'Never.'

Remus raised his eyebrows and smiled. He squeezed Sirius's shoulder one last time and walked away. Sirius watched the long-haired boy take a more twisted route towards the end of the platform, winding through the crowd with admirable ease. Once he'd gotten near the barrier, he stopped and scuffed his shoes on the ground, as if preparing himself for a run. His expression looked every bit like a cheetah aiming for its prey. Sirius followed the direction of Remus's gaze to what he assumed would have to be Remus's father.

The first thought that came to Sirius's mind once his eyes had landed on Mr. Lupin was that this was not the man you would want to cross. Remus was a splitting image of his father, down to the last freckle; but where Remus was slight and petite, John Lupin was broad and muscled. He wasn't tall enough to be deemed huge, but his physique made him look larger than he actually was. Sirius remembered Remus mentioning that he'd been an auror once. He must know of the Blacks then. Mr. Lupin's boyish features were marred because of his cold hard eyes and set chin. He was so stoic that if it hadn't been for the occasional blinking, Sirius would have mistaken him for a statue.

Sirius's gaze shifted back to his friend, who by now had broken into a mad run, readying himself for a leap. But he'd hardly come an inch closer to Mr. Lupin, when the man suddenly turned and caught Remus by the collar of his shirt. There were several tense moments where Mr. Lupin just stood there, his son dangling five feet above the ground by his collar. Sirius had actually considered calling for help because the man looked every bit capable of child abuse but then, Remus punched his father playfully and they burst out laughing and hugging. Sirius felt his lip curl with disgust at the public display of affection. What the hell was wrong with people here? Why in God's name did they insist on touching so much?

A croaky voice broke through Sirius's thoughts. 'Does young Master intend on staying in the station all day?'

Sirius rolled his eyes and looked down. He recognised that voice anywhere. 'Kreacher.' He didn't like the house elf, not one bit. His expression was too sardonic and confident for a mere elf, and his behaviour was absolutely unacceptable. Mother pampers the thing too much. 'Lead the way then, Kreacher.'

'As young Master wishes. Master and Mistress won't be home until dinner, but have left specific instructions for you to follow once we are to reach home.'

Like I'm going to actually follow them. But Sirius nodded anyway. He hadn't really expected his parents to show up at the station. They had much more important matters to attend to than a son returning from school, even if he were absent for a little over half a year. It only made sense, he concluded. However, as he remembered the Potters, and Remus and his father, and even the Pettigrews, Sirius wished it wasn't so.

XxxxX

Remus entered the kitchen, clean and slightly damp. He'd arrived home late because of his father's abysmal driving. Not to mention, they'd gotten lost twice and to top it all off, it had started raining. By the time they'd actually made it back to the Lupin cottage, they were drenched, and filthy, and every bit disgruntled. His mother had yelled and sent both of them to the bathroom, complaining about clean floors and bloody wizards the whole time.

He'd finished his shower almost half an hour ago, but had avoided the kitchen in hopes of cooling his mother down a bit. Apparently, his tactic had worked because Delilah Lupin was humming to herself as she prepared the salad.

She didn't look up when she spoke to him. 'Remus, love, set the table, will you?'

Remus nodded and started arranging the cutlery splayed haphazardly on the counter.

'How's school been?' she asked conversationally.

Remus's face lit up instantly at the question. 'It's so excellent! I mean, dad's told me about it before and all, but oh mum! I wish they'd let you see the place! There's just so much magic everywhere and there are these bizarre paintings, and-'

Delilah Lupin laughed. 'Slow down, baby. Breathing is essential for health.' She cleaned her hands on a kitchen towel and set the salad on the table. 'You sound happy though and that's all that matters,' she said, stroking his cheek. 'How's the neck been?'

Remus folded the last of the napkins. 'Still twinges after transformations but apart from that, I hardly ever know it's there.'

Del turned away to check on the roast. 'Hm…Lionel said your body would eventually adjust to it, but I worry sometimes.'

Remus rolled his eyes. 'You worry too much.'

'It's my job, baby. Honey! Dinner's ready!' she shouted, as she put on her oven mitts.

Remus laughed and sat down. 'Actually, I'm surprised you let dad drive your new car to the station and back.' He watched hungrily as his mother set the perfectly golden brown chicken on the table and sat down.

'I thought I'd cut him some slack. He's been begging since I bought that thing. Tell me.' She rested her chin on one hand. 'How bad was he?'

'If I were you, I'd keep those car keys hidden fifty feet underground.'

John Lupin entered the kitchen noisily. 'I heard that, you little brat,' he said settling down beside his wife. 'Honestly though, honey. I wasn't that bad.' He smiled at her sweetly and helped himself to the food on the table.

Remus snorted. 'Dad, you knocked down five different stop signs on three different junctions. You weren't bad, you were ghastly.'

John stabbed at his chicken moodily. 'You know, we really need to do something about that mouth of his. It's uncontrollable. You'd think after eleven years of nursing and pampering, he'd at least be a little grateful and support his old man.'

'You're not the one who carried him around in her stomach for nine months. It's only natural for him to be more loyal to his mother. Isn't that right, baby?' she said, reaching out and stroking her son's cheek.

Remus smirked pointedly at his father and leaned into her touch. 'Of course, mum.'

Dinner carried on that way, more than often punctuated with mindless banter and jokes from work or home. It was more than clear from their conversation that they intended to catch up on everything they'd missed over the last six months. In fact, it wasn't until they were digging into Remus's favourite chocolate chip ice cream that John Lupin voiced what had been troubling him since their return from the station.

'There was a boy staring at you in the station, Remus,' he said causally, as he swallowed a mouthful of ice cream.

Remus looked up surprised. 'Oh?'

John nodded. 'Hm. Black hair, slight tan, medium build.'

Must be either James or Sirius, thought Remus.

John frowned. 'He looked like there was something nasty stuck under his nose.'

Definitely Sirius. 'It's the Black kid I'd told you about.'

His father looked up at him, concerned etched in every line of his face. 'Is he a friend?'

'An acquaintance,' said Remus dismissively. He could feel his mother's piercing gaze on him. He ignored her and smiled at his dad instead. 'Relax, dad. We hardly talk.' He knew his mother could see right through his lie but if she knew anything about it, she didn't voice it, and Remus was thankful for it.

Later, when Delilah Lupin had come upstairs to check up on her son, she'd kissed his forehead and watched the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest with unease. 'I hope you know what you're doing, sweetheart.'

XxxxX

Sirius kissed his mother, touching his cheek to hers. 'Mother,' he greeted curtly. He nodded at Orion Black. 'Father.' He sat down in the farthest seat from them and waited for Kreacher to serve him. The food smelled particularly good today, and Sirius's stomach gave a lurch when the house elf filled his plate dutifully.

'It good you're here, Sirius,' his father said amiably. 'There are some pressing matters we needed to talk to you about. First of all, your mother and I would like to congratulate you on your outstanding results. We had our doubts after your sorting, but your performance has done justice to the Black name.'

Sirius nodded and tried his best not to eat too fast. Who cared about grades? He was starving.

'I understand that Gryffindor is not the most suitable environment for you, but Dumbledore is a hard man to convince. However, I still have few cards left at hand. I'm sure I can arrange something to suit your needs.'

Sirius swallowed. 'Au contraire, Father, that's hardly necessary. I assure you, I've found the environment in Gryffindor quite satisfactory.'

'Don't be ridiculous, Sirius,' his mother snapped, looking up at him with cold hard eyes. 'Gryffindor is laden with all kinds of lowly people – half bloods, and mudbloods, and what not. I hope you aren't fraternising with any of them.'

Sirius put down his fork and looked his mother directly in the eye. 'I am; three of them in fact.'

His parents looked beyond outraged, and Orion Black slammed his hand on the table angrily. But it was his wife who spoke first, 'Then I suggest you break ties with them immediately. You should know by now, that these people…these filth…they can never come up to our standards or ever achieve the purity we possess. They're uncivilised and pitiable, Sirius. We have taught you that time and time again.'

Anger shot through Sirius like fire. He'd had disagreements with his mother before, but this…this rage was new to him. They were liars, each and every one of them. Everything they'd said about half bloods and muggleborns were a lie. These people, they didn't want his money; they were certainly not cruel or unkind; and they ate, slept and breathed just like the rest of the pureblood community did. In fact, he'd had more fun in these few six months than his whole life put together. And Sirius, being the straightforward person he was, felt he had every right to say so. 'These filth, Mother, are my friends now,' he said getting up. 'They are different, yes, but their traits are not that to be looked down upon. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have homework to attend to.'

XxxxX

WhiteRose101: Thank you, thank you, thank you. Keep reviewing. snape'smistress-in-law: I'm glad you can actually picture the characters through my writing. Trust me, it's one of the best compliments a writer can get. Do keep reviewing. Tyleet27: No, no Sevvies, please. It's not like I hate the guy, in fact I prefer him to Harry as a main character. But everytime I think of him with someone, it totally grosses me out. I mean, imagine the romantic scene…she ran her hand through his oily greasy hair…he was so hot…she'd never been more turned on by grease in her whole life. xShuddersx It's like romancing a packet of fries or something. I love John too, he's just so…fatherly, but at the same time, he's like a friend as well. And Lily got a lot more part than this in Remus's life. Obsessed-with-random-theories: Thanks for reviewing most of the chapters. I hope this one's upto par…it sort of marks the end of a year, and the start of Sirius's frustration with his parents. I didn't want to put in first, but figured it was important. BlackMercifulFaerie: lol. I think you got your answer about the whole tattoo thing. I'm glad you loved this story. Keep reviewing, and I'll update as soon as I can, with my mocks going on…Zevazo: John's one of my favourite characters in this story. He's just so unique. I mean, normally, he's this hard pressed man, but as soon as Remus enters the room, his whole personality takes a different route. I love their relationship, and it took me some time to make Remus's father seem caring, but at the same time, he not too overbearing. I'm hoping I did a good job. Leafyaki: lol. Well, I'm surprised I made it through six chapters without grammatical mistakes. I often don't look at the screen when I'm typing. Now that I've succeeded with the rapport between Remus and John, I have to concentrate on the Marauders more. Serpent91, MagicalWinry, marauders4: I'm glad you guys liked the story, and keep reviewing with this much fervour and I'll be spewing out chapters like water. Artemis Maxwell-Yuy: Sirius never really wanted to do the prank, but a Black's pride always comes first, so he just went ahead with it, and performed the most harmless one he could think of. After all, he does have a certain soft spot for Remus.